 | | | | Medical Health Encyclopedia | |
Esophageal perforation
Definition:
An esophageal perforation is a hole in the esophagus, the tube through which food passes from the mouth to the stomach. Alternative Names:
Perforation of the esophagus Text Continues Below
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
A perforation is a hole through which the contents of the esophagus can pass into the mediastinum, the surrounding area in the chest. This often results in infection of the mediastinum (mediastinitis). The most common cause of an esophageal perforation is injury during a medical procedure such as esophagoscopy (a procedure to examine the esophagus) or placement of a naso-gastric tube. The esophagus may also become perforated as the result of a tumor, gastric reflux with ulceration, other disease process, a mechanical problem such as violent retching, or swallowing a foreign object or caustic chemicals. Less common causes include injuries from penetrating or blunt trauma, and injury to the esophagus during an operation on another organ near the esophagus. Rare cases have also been associated with childbirth, defecation, seizures, heavy lifting, and forceful swallowing.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. | |
| 
.gif)
